Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Flashdance&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Flashdance’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple with a white blush in the center with purple spots; a darker purple labellum with some white and yellow; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/540,404 filed Sep. 28, 2011. The disclosure of this prior applicationis hereby incorporated by reference.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Phalaenopsis hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Flashdance’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Flashdance’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Flashdance’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventors, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Flashdance’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Pink Twilight’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Spring Moonlight×Sogo Smith’, unpatented. The newPhalaenopsis ‘Flashdance’ was discovered and selected by the inventor asa single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in acontrolled environment in 2006 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in July, 2007 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Flashdance’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. flowers which are purple with a white blush in the center with purplespots; a darker purple labellum with some white and yellow;

2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;

3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissueculture;

4. inflorescence is long and sturdy

5. relatively short, dark-green foliage

Presently, there is no commercial cultivar to which ‘Flashdance’ can bemeaningfully compared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Flashdance’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Flashdance’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Flashdance’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical buds and flowers of‘Flashdance’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Flashdance’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Flashdance’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Flashdance’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of‘Flashdance’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during theflowering phase of ‘Flashdance’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22°C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing‘Flashdance’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Flashdance’ from potting size is between10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Flashdance’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Pink Twilight’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Spring Moonlight×Sogo Smith’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-7            mm wide and green/yellow in color (RHS 137D); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height: about 60 to 70 cm Spread: about 50            to 70 cm.        -   Growth habit.—standard; dark-green leaves and relatively            normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 2 peduncles with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval, slightly pointy tip and            asymmetric.        -   Texture.—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—3 to 4 pairs of leaves.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 17 to 25 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 7 to 9 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 1 mm.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—RHS N137A.        -   Mature leaf color (under surface).—RHS 143A.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper surface            RHS 139A, under surface RHS 143C.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—about 8 to 16.        -   Length.—about 50 to 70 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 4 mm.        -   Strength.—strong.        -   Aspect.—upright.        -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—yellow/green RHS 147A.        -   Internode.—Length: about 30 to 45 mm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): about 18 to            25 mm Diameter (at midpoint): about 10 to 20 mm Shape:            egg-shaped Color: RHS N79C.        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2            racemes appear with about 16 to 20 flower buds and flowers            per inflorescence. First flowers can be expected            approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant with a            leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after tepal separation. Orientation at opening: slanted            upward and outward. Shape: see FIG. 2 Size: Height: about 65            to 80 mm Diameter: about 80 to 90 mm Depth of tube: about 15            mm.        -   Tepals.—Quantity and arrangement: six tepals that are            trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are            more pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl of tepals comprises 3            petals, 2 lateral petals and labellum. 2 lateral petals:            Overall shape: slightly triangular and weakly cupped Apex:            angular Margin: weakly undulate Length: about 40 to 50 mm            Width: about 35 to 42 mm Texture: Upper surface: smooth and            satiny Under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully            opened): Main color upper surface is RHS N80A. At the base            purple (RHS N798B) and a white/purple mark (RHS 69D) with            purple spots (RHS N80A). Under surface is purple (RHS 80B)            Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent            callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and            base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward            about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is            terminated by 2 short filiform appendages at the apex.            Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the            midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Length: about 21 mm Width (not            flattened): about 20 mm Texture: Upper & under surface:            smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened): Main color mid            lob & lateral lob is RHS 72A. Base and the line in the            middle of the mid lob are slightly darker purple (RHS 186A).            Under surface RHS 186A. In the center whithe (RHS NN155C)            with purple spots/stripes (RHS 72A) and on top little yellow            and white (RHS 12B). Chirri is purple (RHS 72A) Chirri:            medium length Pestle Length: about 5 mm Width (not            flattened): about 5 Height: about 7 mm Color: yellow (RHS            7C) with some white (RHS NN155B) and purple stripes/spots            (RHS 72A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl of tepals comprises 3            sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and weakly cupped. Dorsal:            at the tip a small triangle-shaped hole. Lateral has            slightly pointy tips Length: about 30 to 45 mm Width: about            27 mm Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny            Color (when fully opened): Dorsal sepal: thin edge white            (RHS NN155D), purple (RSH N80A), white/purple mark at the            base(RHS 69D) with purple spots (RHS N80A). Small light            purple mark at the base (RHS N78B). Under surface is light            purple (RHS N80B). Lateral sepal: thin edge white            (RHSNN155D), purple (RHS N80A), white mark at the base (RHS            157C) with small marks (RHS 71A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 10 mm Diameter: about 7 mm Color:            purple (RHS N78B) with white nose (RHS 155B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: Two Size: about 1.5 mm Color: RHS 24A.        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm Diameter: about 6 mm Color: RHS            NN155C.        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 30 to 45 mm Diameter: about 4 mm            Texture: glabrous and smooth Color: close to flower (RHS            77C) middle (RHS N77B), end (RHS N77A).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Flashdance’, as illustrated and described herein.